Franklin in Macon County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The North Carolina Bartram Trail

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 12, 2018

1. The North Carolina Bartram Trail Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The North Carolina Bartram Trail is a hiking trail to commemorate the 1775 visit of Philadelphia naturalist William Bartram to Western North Carolina. Begun in the 1970s, the trail parallels Bartram's actual route into Cherokee country. It begins at the Georgia state line and crosses the summit of Scaly Mountain and the Fishhawk Mountains before descending into the Tessentee Valley. From Franklin, it rises to the summit of Wayah Bald, its highest point, and drops to the Nantahala Gorge and then ascends to its terminus at Cheoah Bald.

The trail joins the Appalachian Trail at two points — Wayah Bald and Cheoah Bald. The North Carolina Bartram Trail provides a less-traveled alternative to the Appalachian Trail in Western North Carolina through some of the most spectacular natural habitat in the area.

William Bartram passed very near here on his visit to the "Middle towns" of the Cherokee nation, the principal town being Cowee, north of Franklin. Bartram describes his trip vividly in his well-known book, Travels, which contains the most complete existing description of the life of the Cherokee in the eighteenth

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century. The book was widely and eagerly read in Europe.

The North Carolina mountains and foothills were designated the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in recognition of their natural beauty and living traditions of music, craft, agriculture, and Cherokee culture. This location is part of a regional trail of distinctive heritage sites. Ask for information at area visitor centers.
More information online at: www.blueridgeheritage.com

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Environment • Exploration • Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the William Bartram Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 35° 10.909′ N, 83° 22.856′ W. Marker is in Franklin, North Carolina, in Macon County. Marker is at the intersection of Phillips Street and West Main Street (Business U.S. 441), on the right when traveling north on Phillips Street. Marker is located along the walkway in the Garden Club plaza which occupies the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 Phillips Street, Franklin NC 28734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Bartram Naturalist (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Echoe

Marker detail: William Bartram portrait by Charles Willson Peale, from life, c. 1808 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Independence National Historical Park

2. Marker detail: William Bartram portrait by Charles Willson Peale, from life, c. 1808

(within shouting distance of this marker); Macon County Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Gem Mining (within shouting distance of this marker); Dixie Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas's Legion (within shouting distance of this marker); Nikwasi Mound (approx. half a mile away); Nikwasi (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

More about this marker. Marker is a large metal composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high posts.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The North Carolina Bartram Trail & Blue Ridge Heritage Trail

Also see . . .
1. North Carolina Bartram Trail. Philadelphia-born naturalist William Bartram was among the most well-known of the early naturalists, botanists and explorers of his day. He traveled throughout the southeast from 1773 to 1777 and wrote exact, vivid descriptions of the plants and animals he saw and the Native Americans he encountered. In 1791, he published these writings under the title Bartram’s Travels, which has been published continuously and remains in print today in a number of world languages. (Submitted on September 12, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Images from the Bartram trail image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Images from the Bartram trail

Waterfall and bridge at Wallace Branch, Bartram Trail kiosk at Wayah Bald, and flame azalea.

2. Travels of William Bartram. Travels of William Bartram is the familiar title by which the 522-page volume by naturalist William Bartram (1739-1823) is generally referred. The work documents his four-year journey through large portions of the Southeast. Bartram made a very careful study of plants and animals, discovering new species in some cases. He also recorded the customs and history of the Seminole, Cherokee, and Creek Indian Nations, becoming one of the earliest white authorities on these peoples. (Submitted on September 12, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: View of Whiterock and Fishhawk Mountains from Jones Knob image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: View of Whiterock and Fishhawk Mountains from Jones Knob

The North Carolina Bartram Trail Marker (<i>wide view; Garden Club park in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 12, 2018

5. The North Carolina Bartram Trail Marker (wide view; Garden Club park in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 12, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.